Other causes of failed PEth test for alcohol abuse?

Had both dried blood through UTDL and whole blood through lab Corp

Hi everyone,

I joined here to comment on this thread. I had a positive peth from USDTL and I am sober. I am a healthcare provider in a monitoring program. I have random UAs and a soberlink, never had a positive or missed test, but apparently I am somehow binge drinking?! I may lose my career over this, or be sent back to treatment (which I can’t afford). I am being treated like a big fat lying alcoholic.

I didn’t know about getting a second test until I read here, so had one done through LabCorp. But, it was done 10 days after my USDTL test. The test isn’t resulted yet.

The one thing that I remember from my DBS test is that the collector layered the drops, because I didn’t bleed enough. I also didn’t wash my hands. But, according to them, this test is infallible.

Edited to add - my hair test was negative, taken the same day as the USDTL test. I had my first COVID vaccine one week before the test. I’ve also been monitored for a potential MS diagnosis in the past (my brain MRIs were stable and I’m asymptotic, so this was stopped).

When I talked with the MRO, he said a clinical trial was starting on the east coast about peth levels in people who vape, since there can be trace alcohol in the juice. I unfortunately vape since getting sober. The trial hasn’t started.

When and where? I do have expert reports I’m willing to share. This test is ANYTHING but infallible. LOTS of places recognize that. Talbott Recovery Campus, FAA, a dentist board, and others.

I’ve corresponded with the vape research folks. Interesting and can’t hurt, but better research is needed to explain the multitudes of false positives that don’t have any discernible connections. I believe it is pure preanalytical error. Which means you quite possibly did NOTHING to contribute to the result.

I’ll send a PM, feel free to contact me if you wish.

Hi tooled,

I’ll send you a pm. I have been trying to figure out how I could have possibly failed the test. It was for a voluntary fitness for duty eval. Why would I fly across the country during Covid for an eval if I had been drinking? I knew I would have a peth test.

One other thing I came across today. I drink a ton of diet ginger ale/sprite/7-up. Like 2 liters/day (bad, I know!). I asked the MRO if it could be the soda, and he blew me off, saying it was not possible. I found this article (although old) about the hidden alcohol in sodas. It seems logical that a small daily exposure over months could lead to a positive peth?

I personally believe the blood spots ferment due to proper dried blood spot collection protocol not being followed. Nothing to do with you other than maybe a high blood sugar level making your blood more fermentable. Perhaps you’re carrying a higher level of candiba albicans in your system at the time. Things like that. Stuff that isn’t researched, checked, nothing. All USDTL “experts” will say is “I don’t think that matters”. I have the transcripts from an arbitration hearing to prove it. They freely admit they don’t even require their own collection protocol to be followed. Yep, they said that under oath... Don’t beat yourself up. The test is flawed, not you. Ask your MRO to read transcripts and expert opinions I have.

Hi toolsd,
What causes the spots to ferment? The sample not being dried properly? I do recall the collector layered my blood drops...would this in theory double the amount of peth in the sample? The test is horrible, I went to the eval so I could go back to work. I haven’t worked in 2 years, was in treatment for over a year. I can’t imagine starting the process over due to one test. I’m already paying $800 a month for monitoring while not being cleared to work!

Yes. Not being dried. Did the card set out to dry for at least an hour? Or was it sealed up right away so you could initial a tamper seal?

All the research I discovered says blood spots should dry three hours to overnight.

What was the relative humidity? What was the temperature during shipping to Des Plains?

That test was run twice. What was the other value? Your MRO should be able to get that info. Many times Dakar positives yield very erratic results. Mine were 70 and 100, more than 30 percent variance. Forensic protocol allows 20 percent, their own SOP allows 30, but they don’t care and report it positive any way.

I can’t recall if the test was sealed right away. I’ll ask the MRO about getting the second value. Can I request it myself? (Crazy if not, it’s my health information).
I recall it was a relatively hot/humid day (compared to our weather out west), with thunderstorms coming in.

You can ask... never seen them give it out. Ya, just plain criminal AND contrary to CLIA which they brag about being compliant with (which itself is stupid, that’s a CLINICAL thing and they are FORENSIC).

I’m just so frustrated by this test. So, say my positive result was due to vaping or soda/sparkling water consumption (per the article I attached above). Are the php’s going to amend their contracts and say no vaping or canned beverage consumption? Where is my body autonomy in this mess? Only plain water for 5 years? It’s madness. I wish I had the money to pursue legal pathways, but I’m pretty much going bankrupt from all these monitoring fees. They are taking advantage of vulnerable people who are ADA protected.